Pattern Failure

She handed me a pattern for her bridesmaid dress Intricate it was, and the fabric was sleek My sewing machine skipped ‘tween each stitch, I confess Knowing some proportions I’d still have to tweak Tessa had a figure resembling a milk carton So I reinforced each thread by hand with great care Some proportions were large, but she was no Dolly Parton And there was not an inch of fabric left to spare Each of the twelve panels that formed the bodice Were ironed and carefully set into place (It wasn’t the first gown I’d made; I was no novice) You should have seen how I stretched the skimpy lace A French stitch was needed to prevent any fraying Each night for three weeks I spent hours on this dress The neckline require extensive crocheting Finally I brought it to her, hoping to impress In the weeks that had passed, Tessa had overeaten And the pattern size twelve should have now been eighteen The gown was perfectly stitched, but her diet did sweeten A mirror wouldn’t suffice; she needed a wide screen I charged not a penny for the work I had done While other bridesmaids paid four-hundred or more As Tessa squeezed into the dress, seams came undone In the rear she resembled a huge wild boar Since there was no more fabric available Little could be done to ease Tessa’s anger Her accusations of incompetence were highly debatable Her gown simply looked far better on a hanger *True story. Made many gowns and costumes for friends at no cost, but this was the last. LOL Written Sunday, March 23, 2014 for Verlena S. Walker’s contest